The Bizarre World of Florida

Mom, teen son tied up, beat man from dating site September 16, 2012

A mother and her 16-year-old son were charged Saturday with attempted homicide and unlawful imprisonment after tying up and severely beating a Pasco County man whom the woman met on an Internet dating site, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Bobbie Jo Curtis, 40, and her son were also charged with aggravated battery and grand theft auto. They are being held in the Pasco County jail pending their first appearance Sunday morning. It was not immediately known whether they had an attorney. The teen is being charged as an adult.

The pair was arrested early Saturday morning after authorities received a tip from someone at the motel where they were staying. New Port Richey police were called to the scene, and the pair turned themselves in.

Bobbie Jo Curtis met a 44-year-old man on a dating site, who invited her and her son to live with him. After about a week, the mother and son tied up and beat the man, according to a Sheriff’s Office statement. The suspects and a third unidentified woman then stole items from the home, including guns.

The unidentified man suffered serious head injuries and was in critical condition. A third suspect remains at large.

“We will not stop until she’s arrested,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a news conference. “We do not want any more violence. We want her to turn herself in peacefully. The walls are closing in.”

Authorities did not immediately say whether the attack was plotted before the mother and son went to live with the victim. Nocco cautioned residents when they use Internet dating sites.

“Be careful with who you are talking to,” he said. “You don’t know who is on the other end.”